New 2021 Peugeot 308 goes on sale, priced from £24,000

The 308 is now more closely related visually to newer Peugeot models including the Peugeot 208, 2021 Peuegot Peugeot 508, Peugeot 2008 and Peugeot 3008, with a front end characterised by the firm's trademark 'fang' LED daytime-running lights, slim headlights and a large grille housing Peugeot's new shield logo. This will be rolled out to all Peugeot models and dealerships worldwide over the coming years. 

The hatchback's wheelbase has been extended by 55mm and its overall length by 110mm to offer more space in the back seats. It also sits 20mm lower, in line with a heightened focus on aerodynamic efficiency, as also indicated by its lengthy curved bonnet and more heavily raked windscreen. 

This focus is particularly evident in the design of the rear end, which features a much more prominent spoiler than that of the outgoing car and a sharp air-channelling crease, continued from the sides and integrated into the wraparound light bar. The 308 has a slightly improved drag coefficient as a result of its new proportions, of 0.28Cd.

The 308's EMP2 platform (shared with the Citroën C5 Aircross, DS 7 Crossback and Vauxhall Grandland) is compatible with a range of petrol, diesel and electrified powertrains.

Two plug-in hybrid options will be available from launch, pairing a turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine (tuned to 148bhp or 178bhp) with a 109bhp electric motor attached to the eight-speed automatic gearbox. They both use a 12.4kWh lithium ion battery pack offering an electric-only range of up to 37 miles and capable of charging in just under two hours from a 7.4kW charger. 

Both PHEV options are front-wheel-drive, but a top-rung PSE-badged four-wheel-drive hybrid hot hatch is expected to follow as a sibling for the Peugeot 508 PSE with around 300bhp and substantially improved performance. 

The ICE-only offering comprises a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol with 108bhp or 128bhp and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel with 128bhp.

While the top-rung petrol is available with the eight-speed automatic gearbox, the other combustion engines are paired exclusively with a six-speed manual. Full performance and economy data for all powertrains will be revealed closer to the 308's launch in the second half of 2021. 

A late-life update for the previous 308 introduced elements of Peugeot's current i-Cockpit interior layout, but the latest generation gains an updated set-up that mirrors the predominantly digital and angular design of other Peugeot interiors.

A downsized, performance-inspired steering wheel houses certain controls for the infotainment system and driver aids, but the centrally mounted 10.0in touchscreen - angled slightly towards the driver - replaces the majority of physical buttons and switches.

However, a row of so-called 'i-toggle' switches below this screen can be individually configured to control separate functions, according to the driver's preference.